Crean ready for 'one of a kind' basketball event

James Hardy took on three Los Angeles police officers, and lost – in a big way.

The former Indiana receiver and Elmhurst standout was arrested and hospitalized on Sunday after a fight with police. According to LAPD reports, Hardy was charged with resisting a police officer.

Officers were called to downtown Los Angeles after reports of a man causing a disturbance. Police approached Hardy. When he didn't comply with their demands, an altercation broke out. Three officers were injured and used a taser gun on Hardy before he was finally subdued and taken to the hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

The investigation is continuing.

Hardy had moved to Los Angeles a couple of years ago to pursue a career in modeling and acting after his NFL career faded because of injuries. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2008 draft, but played just two seasons. He also saw limited time with the Baltimore Ravens.

Hardy was a record-breaking receiver for Indiana before leaving after his junior season to enter the NFL draft. In his final season he earned All-America honors after setting IU single-season records with 79 catches for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns. He led the Hoosiers to the 2007 Insight Bowl, their only postseason appearance since 1993. Hardy is Indiana's career-record holder for catches (191) and receiving yards (2,740).

Hardy was a standout football and basketball player at Elmhurst. He briefly played basketball for the Hoosiers, but the demands of the two sports, and the fact there was no break between them, caused him to drop basketball and focus on football.

Gavitt Tipoff Games are on

Indiana coach Tom Crean understands the importance of Dave Gavitt to college basketball and the new Gavit Tipoff Games to the Big Ten and the Big East.

And now that the Gavitt Tipoff Games – an annual early November event matching eight teams each from the Big Ten and the Big East -- are officially set to help launch college seasons starting in 2015, Crean is all for it.

“I think you can count the people on one hand who have had as much influence on college basketball as Dave Gavitt,” Crean said in a university release. “This is a fitting way to recognize an individual who left an indelible impression on basketball and bring two great conferences like the Big Ten and Big East together to create a one of a kind event to start the college basketball season. We are excited to take part in this.”

The official announcement came today during a New York City press conference, although word had surfaced on Sunday.

“With March Madness, college basketball always ends with a flourish,” Big East commissioner Val Ackerman said in a release. “The Gavitt Tipoff Games will allow us to open the season with a bang as well.”

The series will run until 2022, with two games being played on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the season's first full week. Big Ten teams will participate at least four times in the event. Big Ten teams will have at least six shots.

TV coverage will be based on the home team's conference TV partner. That will be the Big Ten Network and ESPN for the Big Ten, and FOX Sports 1 for the Big East.

The Games are named for Dave Gavitt, the founder of the original Big East who was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Dave often mentioned that college basketball should do a better job of tipping off the season, similar to opening day in baseball, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a conference release. “I think he would approve of our effort to start a new tip-off tradition.”

Anderson delays IU visit

Finals delayed Ryan Anderson's official visit to Indiana.

Academics caused the 6-9 forward, who is transferring from Boston College, to delay his trip to Bloomington. He was set to be on campus today and tomorrow, and then at Arizona later in the week. Instead, he'll focus on finals, and reschedule soon.

Anderson has already visited Iowa State, his other finalist. Crean had an in-house visit with him last month.

Anderson is coming off shoulder surgery that will sideline him for six to nine months. He has one year of eligibility remaining and will have to redshirt because of NCAA transfer rules, so the surgery comes at a good time.

This past season Anderson averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. IU has one scholarship remaining.